Why do we need an IPv6 certification process?

To answer that question first we need to look at the significance the current IP layer has in our day to day lives. Beyond that we need to, for lack of better words, “follow the money” that these IP based applications, services and infrastructure support. Stability of IP based communication is something we may take for granted but what would happen if that stable IPv4 layer was replaced with a not so stable upgrade? My home network connection goes out, kind of irritating but in the big picture I will probably forget it… the first time. Service Providers realize that if they cannot provide you with a stable service you may not be a happy customer, which may open the door for you to look elsewhere. Beyond that, the loss of IP based communication in many industries is seen as a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars per second both in revenue generation and loss of opportunity. The point is, much of the world economy relies on a stable network at all times.

In reality that old layer 3 has to go. It was designed with a forward looking vision however, that vision didn’t look far enough. It has been patched and propped up, sure it runs well but we are about out of digital Duct Tape. I am sure you have heard of the running out of IP addresses issue, that is real. The additional IP addresses that IPv6 supports allows for direct access to services, features and applications that will become even more a part of our everyday lives than today. Encryption support is also identified as mandatory in the IPv6 protocol. To me these features are tightly linked, the more addressable space, the more sensitive data on the public network, the more security will be a requirement. Addressable space and security are not the only things that IPv6 brings to the table, optimization for new hardware, auto address configuration and network discovery methods to name a few.

That’s a no brainer, give me secure communication with increased functionality… sign me up. Yea that would be nice but, let’s go back to the money thing. The owners of these networks cannot implement this functionality without the confidence that the components installed have proper IPv6 functionality and can interoperate. The IPv6 certification process verifies network components to be compliant in areas including core functionality, security devices, routing protocols and encryption to name some. Compliance to standards is good, and the certification is made stronger with additional tests based on interoperability with previously certified systems.

Next we will discuss what the US Government is doing to accelerate the transition to IPv6.

Hey Joshua,
The NIST IPv6 site has a lot of great information to get you on your way. It has links to test specs, test labs and general information for implementation across various roles:
http://www.antd.nist.gov/usgv6/
I also would point out the Tahi project. The Tahi project provides an open source test suite closely aligned with the USGv6 and ReadyLogo certification:
http://www.tahi.org/
These are good starting points but there is also a lot of good information out there when you put Google to work. I will also get into these in a later post.
Tony

I don't know about a cetrification, but we do need training, about all i know about ipv6 is how to convert it to binary, and decimal. So i can read it but I have not clue how to use it. I also know that the available ips are like 10 to the 27 power. and by the way i am still in school and about to get my associates degree in august

Hey Craig,
There is a whole lot of (free!) web based training on the net. Starting with cisco.com, here are a few links:
http://www.cisco.com/go/ipv6
The education link towards the left should keep you busy for a while:
http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/education/us_education/transition_to_IPv6_for_education.html
Or if video is more your thing, Rob and JimmyRay have some good IPv6 TechWiseTV that discuss various aspects ip IPv6:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyDWq6D8xk
Lots of good stuff…. And if you poke around there is plenty more.
Have fun,
Tony

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